Vice President Vincent C. Siew on the morning of January 10 attended the opening of an exhibition of the T.H. Wu Foundation commemorating the contributions made by foreign medical missionaries in Taiwan starting over a century ago. In remarks to the gathering, the vice president said that the benevolence and inspiring deeds of these foreign medical missionaries are worthy of emulation by the people of Taiwan. He added that this exhibit not only demonstrates the heartfelt gratitude of the Taiwanese people to these foreign friends, but also sets an example for the people of Taiwan to realize that people from around the globe are in the same boat together. Vice President Siew said that Taiwan is willing to shoulder its responsibility as a provider of humanitarian aid in times of hardship for compatriots or people overseas. This will make the ROC a nation that is both respected by and inspiring to people around the world, he said.
The vice president remarked that Mr. T. H. Wu (1916-1999) was a highly respected philanthropist who, after achieving success as an entrepreneur, established the T. H. Wu Foundation to pay back society. The foundation provides contributions to fund charitable organizations, athletic activities, and academic and research organizations, helping to cultivate talent, improve social values, and recognize people who have made a contribution to society. In 2002, Mr. Wu donated the funds to construct an exhibit center at National Taiwan University (NTU). Since completion, the foundation and NTU have jointly run the facility, which offers an exhibition space. The displays have brought attention to the deeds of locals and foreigners involved in charity work, providing an inspiration to many, he said.
Vice President Siew said that foreign missionaries played an important role in medical care in Taiwan's early days. Persons such as Dr. James Laidlaw Maxwell, Rev. Thomas Barclay, Rev. William Campbell, Dr. David Landsborough III, and Dr. George Gushue-Taylor were among those who in the middle of the 19th century began travelling great distances and risked their lives to come to Taiwan. The vice president remarked that they all displayed a fraternal spirit and were willing to make sacrifices, helping our forefathers cope with illness. To this day, the church-based medical system still plays an important link in Taiwan's medical care, he said.
Vice President Siew was joined at the ribbon cutting ceremony by Chang Li-tang (Chairman, T.H. Wu Foundation), Wu Liang-hong (Vice Chairman, T.H. Wu Foundation), Tai-Jen George Chen (Vice President for Academic Affairs, National Taiwan University), Hsien-Chang Lai (Moderator, General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan), and Tzuu-Yuan Huang (Superintendent, SinLau Hospital).